Taikyoku Shodan or Kihon Kata Video Tutorial above
Correct practice of Kihon kata or Taikyoku Shodan is vital for shotokan karate practitioners.
This karate kata only consists of two different karate moves, oi zuki (stepping punch) and gedan barai (downward block).
But within these two ‘basic’ karate techniques, lays the opportunity to understand the basic fundamentals of shotokan karate.
Let us look at why kihon kata is so important to the shotokan karateka.
1. Shomen (Square)
2. Hanmi (Side facing)
3. Hikite (Pulling hand)
4. Breathing
5. Kime (Focus)
6. Same Height
7. Seichusen (Centre line)
8. Embusen (Performance Line)
9. Speed
10.Timing
11.Zenkutsu dachi (Front stance)
12.Oizuki (Stepping punch)
13.Gedanbarai (Downward block)
At Shotokan Karate Online, we use Taikyoku Shodan (Kihon Kata) as the required kata for the 9th Kyu Orange Belt examination.
The first move in kihon kata is gedanbarai (downward block), when executing this technique, the body goes from a square (shomen) position, to a hanmi (side facing) position upon completion.
The hikite arm (pulling hand) is used strongly on every move. Work hard on developing a strong hikite.
Very basic breathing is practiced when first learning karate, so simply breathe in on the preparation of each move and out on completion.
Whilst breathing in and out, keep the chest still and use the stomach.
The stomach should push out when you breathe in and pull in when you breathe out.
There are many interpretations of kime, but for the beginner, focusing at the end of a karate technique should be a priority and when I say focus, I mean mind and body.
Try to move relaxed then just as the technique lands, on the physical side, tighten the muscles, then relax immediately, still keeping form. The Kime timing is stop dead still for a split second at the end of each technique, then relax.
When stepping forward, the front foot stays still until halfway through the step; avoid turning the toes outward or pulling the foot back before the half way point.
All through kihon kata’s 20 moves, the same height should be maintained, try not to move up and down as you travel forward, or whilst turning and spinning.
Smooth stepping, no stamping.
When turning 180°: don’t shuffle the back foot, keep it flat, soften the knee, pivot on the heel.
When turning 270°: don’t shuffle the front foot, keep it flat, soften the knee, pivot on the heel.
You should be aware of your seichusan (centre line) and embusen (kata performance line) at all times. The embusen of kihon kata forms the shape of the letter I.
Once the kata techniques are understood, speed should be applied, the explosive start of each move should be practiced, not a slow start, then picking up speed as the move progresses.
Timing is different for every kata and every karateka! (we will cover timing in detail in other posts)
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance), is the foundation stance, so getting this right is essential. Try not to be to long, to short, to high, or to narrow.
To begin with, the stance should be hip width, so from shizentai (natural stance), step forward with the left leg and bend the left knee so you cannot see the toes of the left foot.
Have the left knee roughly above the centre of the left foot.
Front stance is a lot more involved than this, but this is a good starting point.
Oizuki and gedan barai are two excellent karate moves, that will enable you to practice all the above points.
Both moves are basic, but contain all the basic fundamentals needed for good strong karate practice.
Between 1930 and 1935, Gichin Funakoshi — founder of Shotokan karate — and his son Gigo Funakoshi developed the Taikyoku kata series: Shodan (First Level), Nidan (Second Level), and Sandan (Third Level). The name "Taikyoku" comes from an East Asian cosmological concept meaning "First Cause," fitting for a series designed to introduce the true foundational principles of karate to beginners.
Yasutsune (Anko) Itosu, often called the "Father of Modern Karate" for bringing karate into the Okinawan school curriculum, was one of Funakoshi's own instructors. Itosu's teaching and philosophy — particularly his belief in simplifying technique for young or inexperienced students — helped shape the thinking behind Taikyoku Shodan, even though Funakoshi and his son developed the kata itself decades later.
Taikyoku Shodan became a cornerstone of how Shotokan karate is taught to new students, embodying Funakoshi's belief that a strong foundation in the basics, correct stance, proper body alignment, and clean technique, matters more at the beginning than complexity. Funakoshi also emphasised kime (focus), the explosive concentration of energy at the moment of impact, as a defining principle within the kata.
If you are limited on space to practice, check out this article and video on how to practice kata in a small space
We hope you found this taikyoku shodan kata tutorial helpful.
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